Summer is officially here! As temperatures sizzle on the Western Slope, you’re constantly trying to keep cool. If you have a swamp cooler, you may be wondering how to optimize the performance of this particular cooling system. Luckily for you, we at The Appliance Doctorhave gathered some helpful tips just about that! As always, if you need HVAC repairs or have questions about your HVAC system, know that we offer HVAC repairs and maintenance; call us at 970-623-0152. For all other appliance needs (kitchen appliances, washer/ dryer) reach out to us at 970-773-1000.
Swamp Cooler Tips
Know the Humidity Level Outside
Swamp coolers begin to lose their effectiveness to cool if the outside relative humidity is about 75%. Why? Swamp coolers cool air via the evaporation process, so running the unit in higher humidity conditions can result in making the air more muggy inside your home. In fact, Western Colorado’s arid climate is quite ideal for running swamp coolers, as these units work best in dry, low humidity conditions.
Keep the Unit Clean
Just as with an air conditioning unit, keep your swamp cooler clean and free of debris. Since swamps coolers use water, they are especially known to get dirty easily. Ideally, you will want to clean your swamp cooler before you turn it on at the start of the season, and clean it at the end of summer. To clean, remove the pads and scrub the inside of the frame with a wire brush.
Replace the Cooling Pads
In order for your swamp cooler to produce any cool air, the unit’s cooling pads must be clean. Replace the cooling pads at the end of summer, or whenever the pads are dirty.
Keep the Correct Water Level
For most coolers, three inches of water is needed continuously for a swamp cooler to operate correctly. If you’re unsure of the water level required for your swamp cooler, consult the manual, check for markings inside the unit, or contact us at 970-623-0152 for help and maintenance.
Use Plants
Just as with outdoor humid conditions, higher humidity levels inside your home can impact your swamp cooler’s efficiency as well. To further reduce humidity inside your residence, add some houseplants, such as cacti, aloe, and succulents, which absorb moisture present in the air.
Open Windows A Crack
Counterintuitive to what you’ve learned when it comes to how air conditioners work, keeping a few windows cracked open can actually help your swamp cooler work more effectively. How? Unlike traditional air conditioners that perform best in sealed environments, swamp coolers work better when there is a stream of fresh air. When the air inside your home becomes too humid, your swamp cooler will be unable to cool as efficiently, so having a few windows cracked open allows humid air to escape.
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